The state government ordered the release of 101 prisoners across the state on the occasion of the 43rd birthday of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Prison minister Balwant Singh Ramuwalia said on Friday that most prisoners released were undergoing sentence for petty crimes.
The minister said that of the prisoners released, 42 were between 60 and 70 years while the rest 59 were in jail for their inability pay fine or arrange sureties for bail bonds.
He said that the government is formulating a new policy where all prisoners above 70 years will be released after completing the due legal and administrative process.
Ramuwlia said that the government has also revised the policy of releasing prisoners on parole and informed that in the last 7 months, 15 persons every month were given parole which amounted to 107. “Now the government intends to release 20 under trials and convicts on parole. The DM and the SP will have to decide on each parole application within 15 days failing which it will be presumed that they have no objections,” said t he minister.
Ramuwalia said that the government also intended to increase days and time of meeting between the inmate and his family members. Presently the kin of prisoners can meet him for two hours for two days in a week which will be hiked to four hours and four times a week.
To celebrate the CM’s birthday, a dozen ministers and Speaker Mata Prasad pandey gathered at the state SP office and participated in a cultural programme. However Shivpal Yadav was conspicuous by his absence.